Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Chief Accountant
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Chief Accountant oversees the hotel's accounting function, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash control, taxation, audits and compliance. Candidates are generally expected to hold a degree or professional qualification in accounting or finance, with several years of relevant hotel or hospitality experience and strong knowledge of Malaysian financial regulations. Experience with accounting systems, month-end closing, internal controls and hotel finance operations is valuable. The role requires accuracy, integrity, commercial awareness and the ability to lead a finance team. The successful candidate should communicate clearly with management and department heads, meet reporting deadlines, protect company assets and provide reliable financial analysis to support business decisions.
Can I work in Malaysia?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Line staff: worker quotas for 15 Asian countries, frozen since March 2023 and not reopened for hotels. Others: Employment Pass at RM 5,000+ basic (about USD 1,150).
Watch for: Hotels were left out of the 2025 quota reopenings and no 2026 hotel opening was found. Sabah and Sarawak run their own immigration: a Peninsular pass is not valid there.
Official source: Immigration Department of Malaysia: foreign workers. Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in Malaysia
Usual for Malaysia, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Housing | Island resorts: usually shared staff quarters; city hotels: usually not; managers may get an allowance |
|---|---|
| Meals | Usually duty meals in a staff canteen |
| Flights | Senior expat packages only; not standard |
| Service charge | About 10% on bills, shared by points; cannot count towards the minimum wage (by law) |
| Contract | Pass-linked fixed term: 1 year for line staff, up to 5 for managers; probation usually 3 to 6 months |
| Leave | Peninsular Malaysia: 8 days a year, 12 after 2 years, 16 after 5; 11 public holidays; 45-hour week (by law) |
| Income tax | Flat 30% until you pass 182 days in a year, then 0% to 30% (about 4% at RM 5,000 a month, before reliefs) |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La
JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La is a contemporary city hotel located in George Town, Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage destination known for its heritage buildings, food culture and waterfront setting. It operates under Shangri-La Group, an international luxury hospitality company with hotels and resorts across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other major destinations. JEN hotels are designed for modern travellers, combining practical comfort, local character, business facilities and friendly service. The Penang property serves business travellers, leisure guests, families and groups, offering accommodation, dining, meetings and recreational facilities. As part of Shangri-La, the hotel is supported by established service standards, training programmes and international career opportunities. Its finance team plays an important role in maintaining financial controls, supporting hotel operations and ensuring accurate reporting to management and the wider group.